Happenings of the week 10-16 May

Our final week started off meeting with our deaf student, Xolisa, and had a very good visit with him. He seemed more positive today and thought he was ready to re-take the two exams at the end of the month. Helped walk him through some more thinking about his future school plans. A great comment from him came when he told us that he thought maybe he might be able to pay for new schooling on his own, with his current job. He is working from 6 pm - 6 am now and makes better money. Another last time for us - FHE at Griesemer's enjoying our BYU scripture studies and dinner together.

Tuesday, Arlo took the car into be service at 7:30 am which is an all-day process and after waiting "all day" and another hour in the dealership, we were able to take the car home. Our local missionary companionship who had been here to make Mother's Day phone calls, came to take us back to the dealership. Sandy finished up another "last", the patriarchal blessings-happy that they would be finished in time to go back to Swaziland this weekend, but sad to not have this spiritual experience anymore. Arlo continues to make improvement with his "tweaked" back. The Davis' came to learn the ins and outs of our boarding in order to help the Allen's whenever they are able to arrive. FBI clearances needed for South African visas are so backlogged that it is affecting many of our missionary couples to to come to this country.

We started the "go through, throw out", trying to see what is going to fit in the suitcases and continue trying to make plans for the support of our students until the Allen's arrive. Our "last" PEF loans (5) were approved in Salt Lake on Thursday, and again it is so heartwarming to hear their happiness when we call with the news. The first loan signing came in the evening at the Berea Chapel with Nokukhanya (Khanya for short). Later that night we shared dinner with the Patriarch and Sister (Margaret) Courtney and their daughter, Tagan. It was a lovely meal which he prepared - quiche, a beautiful green salad straight from their garden and fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juice! Coxes (CES couple) were also invited and she will be taking up the job of transcribing the patriarchal blessings.

Friday we spent the morning packing so we could take the suitcases into the office to get weighed in order to not have any surprises during baggage check-in at the airport. Had the chance to meet all the mission presidency couples who were in Durban for some special meetings. The Blackburn's, who will serve in Swaziland, just arrived from St. George. They are originally from Porterville, CA and knew exactly where Ridgecrest was because once upon a time they owned a water bed store (Sir George's) there. We keep finding how small the world in the church really is. Sister Blackburn is a dental hygienist and shipped over her tools so that she might be of service doing something that she has done for a long time - only stopped working one month before leaving on mission. On a sad note, we received an email from Sister SwaziWilson telling us of the death of the week old baby of one of our PEF students, who loan had just been approved Thursday. At times like this, we are most thankful for our testimonies of the Gospel plan and the comfort it brings.

Saturday, we worked all morning cleaning and packing, then met the new missionary couples, all trying to find their particular niche in their assignments, for lunch at the Westwood Mall. Most of us tried something called schwarmas - a pita wrap with seasoned chicken, chips (french fries), salad and a very spicy sauce, which we think originated in the Middle East. The weather turned rainy and windy while we were eating, making us a little nervous to go to Mpumalanga in order to sign loan papers with West and John, plus deliver an application to Ntando. The road down to the chapel is dirt, but the rain wasn't hard enough at that point to give us any problems. A group of young single adults in the branch were meeting for Institute class when we arrived and just having a great time "hanging out", so we borrowed our guys for a while to sign papers. These young men (all returned missionaries) are so anxious to go to school and have better lives than they had in Zimbabwe. The Pier's stopped by the boarding to pick up the nativities and ties that we had purchased for them in Cape Town. One bunch of bananas had toppled over and so we cut it for them to take home and share with whomever.

Our last Sunday was spent in the Stanger Branch, signing papers with the final PEF loan of our mission, Vincent. As we were getting ready to leave, he asked for a priesthood blessing from Arlo and wanted to stay in contact with us,. Many of our "kids' just seem to want to hold on to us when it comes time to leave. As we have said before, many don't have parents and we seem to fill a little of the void in their lives. It has been our privilege to help facilitate loans for nearly 100 fantastic young adults and they each have high hopes for a brighter future. Our hopes for them are just as high for success in their schooling and as they serve and help build the church here in South Africa. In the early afternoon, we met with President Mann for our final interview and shared these thoughts with him, plus thanked him for what he has done for Durban Mission and all of us who have had the chance to serve here.

Our last family home evening with the Cox's and Griesemer's

Sandy signing loan papers with Nokukhanya - one of four we signed our last week.

Patriarch Courtney and his wife Margaret - they invited us for dinner in their home to say goodbye.

Picture with President and Sister Mann after our exit interview.